Genital Ηerpes

What is genital herpes?

 

Genital herpes is an infectious disease caused by the herpes virus. This virus can also infect the skin, mucous membranes, eyes and nervous system.It is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the herpes simplex virus.

There are two types of the herpes virus, 1 and 2.

1 is the virus of the known cold sores, while 2 is that of the genitals.

Lastly, due to the change in sexual habits, type 1 starts and appears more often in the genitals.

First infection is followed by recurrences whose frequency depends on factors such as menstruation, mental and physical stress, microbial infections, influenza, prolonged sun exposure, etc.

Clinically, the known blisters appear accompanied by mild to very severe pain and itching lasting from 1-2 to 2-4 weeks.

The patient should be informed by his dermatologist – venereologist about the course of the disease and the ways to prevent – avoid transmission.

Treatment includes antiviral drugs for about 5 days or if the disease recurs more than 6 times a year a treatment regimen that lasts about 1 year is given.